An industry is born.
Wichita, Kansas became the hot spot for thermal die cutting long before most people realized that an industry existed. It began in the late 1960’s when a man by the name of George Salsgiver discovered how to do with vinyl what could previously only be done with paint (decorate vehicles, buildings and equipment with pre-spaced vinyl that had the more expensive look of "painted-on graphics"). Salsgiver utilized metal plates (which had been etched with acid) that were heated and struck against flat sheets of vinyl creating a pre-spaced graphic design. Before this time the only way to create a pre-spaced vinyl graphic was to hand cut each letter individually. The thermal die cutting industry was born!
Roger and Beverly Bowles incorporated Thermal Trade as a company dedicated to providing quality Thermal Die cutting services to the screen printing industry. Roger believed it was important for customers to know that business was done on a confidential basis (as a partner to the trade, not a competitor for the business of the 
end user). Thermal Trade is dedicated to developing business based on that premise. A variety of equipment was purchased to insure Thermal Trade could offer die cutting to industry businesses that had no die cutting abilities and to those who needed to outsource larger die cutting projects.
Moved to current location at 1714 S. Baehr Wichita, KS.
Built new facility to house screening, die making and art departments. Added screen printing presses that were larger than our trade partners so that we could compliment what they offered and provide additional services for larger size graphics.
Randy Bowles became President, and the company name was changed to Thermal Trade Graphics to more accurately reflect it's added capabilities in design and screen printing.
Thermal Trade Graphics acquired C.O.B. decals, a wholesale supplier of vinyl graphics to the Advertising Specitalty Industry.
Added 12,000 square feet to 1714 S Baehr to accomodate the art, screening and die departments in order to consolidate operations into a central location.
Acquired Dimensional Vinyl Graphics, a former competitor, and began producing their exclusive 3D Decal graphics for the Point of Purchase market.
Acquired Royal Screen Printing, a wholesale supplier of screening to the printing industry. Added signage, magnets and other items to the product list.
We are an industry leader in vinyl graphic services to the trade. From the first order in 1981, Thermal Trade Graphics has planned, produced, and shipped thousands of orders for every type of customer. We look forward to what the future holds for our company and the industry. We hope you will share the adventure with us.